Australian technology transforming safety in workplaces globally

During May this year, medical device company dorsaVi secured its first OHS contract in the United States with construction and mining equipment manufacturer Caterpillar. It also signed with its first two UK-based OHS customers - the London Underground and VINCI Construction UK.

dorsaVi’s ViSafe workplace solution consists of wearable sensors that are placed on the body to measure movement and muscle activity in the workplace. This technology enables employers to assess risk of injury to employees, reduce insurance-related costs, meet compliance and test the effectiveness of proposed changes to workplace design, equipment or methods based on objective evidence.

Materials handling application in the US

Caterpillar’s seals metal casting facility in Georgia will use the dorsaVi ViSafe OHS wearable sensor technology to evaluate and define the best practice for workers using heavy material handling equipment. It will be used to monitor the workers to provide an assessment of the movement of their lower back, shoulder elevation and relevant muscle activity. The technology will evaluate and measure core components of manual handling, regular work tasks and recent workplace changes and contrast the new modified workstations against previous designs.

Based on the aggregated data from ViSafe and under the scope of the contract, dorsaVi aims to develop a plan to improve or modify equipment to increase workplace safety. It will also assist in the planning of education and training in manual handling and the implementation of potential interventions.

Group OHS and Compliance Business Manager Mark Heaysman said: “We are thrilled to be expanding our OHS offering in the US and work with an industry leader in Caterpillar Inc. We are confident we can add significant value to their business and workers and we look forward to seeing the real-life benefits from the implementation of our innovative workplace changes.

“dorsaVi is combining established field-based protocols with innovative technology, which informs strategic and financial decisions to improve workplace safety and reduce costs. The Caterpillar team has embraced our ViSafe technology and shared their vision for creating the safest workplace possible.”

Transport and construction applications in the UK

The London Underground carried more than a billion passengers last year and is the oldest rapid transit system in the world. dorsaVi’s ViSafe workplace solutions will provide Stations and Distribution Services, a division of TfL’s London Underground, with objective measurement and evidence-based solutions to design ergonomically improved vehicles for current and future drivers.

VINCI Construction employs 68,000 employees in 100 countries and its UK branch encompasses three divisions. It will use ViSafe workplace solutions to objectively assess and document the impact of novel work practices and provide evidence of risk reduction among employees.

“The transportation and construction sectors are ideally suited to ViSafe” said Zoe Whyatt, dorsaVi Europe COO.

“With the intensive manual handling and repetitive movements involved, these workers too commonly experience back and shoulder problems. ViSafe can change this pattern.

“By capturing real-time and real-world data, ViSafe consultants collaborate with companies to provide solutions to reduce workplace injuries and the corresponding costs.”

ViSafe has been used by many other major corporations, including Coles, Woolworths, Toll, Toyota, Orora (formerly Amcor), Crown and BHP Billiton.